Blog
A Big Week at GPS
It’s been a joy to lead Gift Planning Services for over 20 years. With mixed emotions, I’ve decided I’ll be stepping down from my role at the end of the month. Here’s what’s ahead for our team and our beloved clients.
Top Financial Decisions for Recent College Grads
At GPS, we focus on legacy and estate planning. But in order to leave a solid financial legacy, you have to start strong! Here’s a how-to on moving into adulthood—or any new phase of life—with a solid, effective financial plan.
Writing an Estate Plan Preamble: A How-To Guide
A preamble, or statement of faith, can be a great way to add personality and get a little philosophical as you lead into your will or estate plan. Here’s what to think about if you’re considering adding one.
Think Outside the Box: Creative Ways to Support Charity
In our work, we meet with very diverse families, of all means and lifestyles. As we help them consider all the ways they can support the causes they love, sometimes the options surprise people. Here are a few non-cash ways to support charity through your estate.
Introducing Creative Storytelling Packages: Share the Softer Side of Your Legacy
From cinematic videos to spoken “Legacy Letters,” we’ve developed a number of creative ways you can share your story and words of wisdom with those you love.
How to Tell a Nonprofit You’re Leaving a Legacy Gift
You want your favorite nonprofits to be able to plan for your future gift, but you don’t want to be treated weirdly in the meantime. Here’s a primer on how to bring them up to speed—and what to expect in return.
What Are the Types of Charitable Trusts… and Should I Have One?
CRUTS and CRATS and CLUTs and CLATs…oh my! We know it can be confusing, so here’s an overview of the major types of charitable trusts, and what makes each kind unique, and which type might work best for your situation.
So You Have a Legacy Plan. Now What?
A legacy plan usually takes a lot of time and intentionality to put in place. If you’ve finished a plan, congratulations! But you’re never quite done. Here are some easy steps to take, once a plan is in place, to communicate your wishes and keep everything current.
Estate Planning Moves to Make at Your Age
No two lives are the same, so no two estate plans are the same. But there are some estate planning steps to take each decade of your life to ensure your bases are covered and your loved ones are cared for. Here we break it down!
Does Your Legacy Plan Include Digital Assets?
So much of our lives are online now, making it more critical than ever to consider your digital assets when creating a legacy plan. Check out these four easy steps to getting your digital assets in order.
What, Exactly, is Planned Giving?
We throw around words like ‘planned giving’ and ‘gift planning’ and ‘legacy’ all the time, and we thought we’d start from ground level with this post: what, exactly, do we mean? More importantly, why does any of this matter?
Put it on Paper: How to Write a ‘Legacy Letter’
There are a lot of details that go into a legacy plan: who gets what, and how assets should be handled, are essential elements that need to be spelled out clearly. But it’s also important to consider the relational side of your legacy. Here’s one great way to leave a meaningful impact on those that matter most to you.